“Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be give, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”
How do I hear? It’s a great question because it’s easy to listen but harder to put into practice what you hear. Christ is saying that how we listen shows up in what we do. We know that from being with children because if they really listen they do something about what you say. We know when our friends listen because they respond. Jesus has just given a parable about how people listened and the fruit they produced as a result. If we are really listening to the gospel message, we should realize it affects our lives and the lives of everyone around us. In fact, as Paul puts it, the gospel compels us (2 Cor. 5:14).
In fact, if you reread the chapter you’ll see the whole chapter is about listening and the results of how well you are.
I need to listen well by carefully considering the message and what it means for my life. I need to listen well by actually doing something as a result of what I hear. I need to listen well by not doing some things as a result of what I hear. Most of all I need to listen well by making sure my mission in life is to let others know about Jesus. How about you? How well are you listening?